Rail-joint.



J. W. HUNTER.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA Pn.' 222222 s. 1,093,559. Patented Apr. 14, 1914,

/zy a v NITED STATESd PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES W. HUNTER, OF ANDREW, WEST VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-FOURTH T0 BOYD D. BANKS .AND ONE-FOURTH TO` OPIEDIE P. MOSES, OF STERLING, WEST VIRGINIA.

RAIL-JOINT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 22, 1913. Serial No. 762,879.

T0 all fr0/0m may concern Be it known that l, JAMEs W. HUNTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Andrew, in the county of Boone and State of Viest Virginia, have invented a new and useful RailnJoint, of which the following is a specification. y

The present invention appertains to rail joints, and aims to provide a novel and improved means for connecting the adjoining ends of rails in an effective manner so as to withstand the conditions to which such` joints are subjected in use.

It is also the object. of the present invention to provide means whereby the rail ends may be quickly and easily attached, and in order that the rail ends may not vibrate appreciably due to the hammering or jarring action caused by the passage of trucks thereover.

It is also within the spirit of the invention to provide a rail joint characterized by a simple, durable, substantial, compact and inexpensive construction, as well as by increased efficiency, utility and serviceability.

`With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention has been illustrated in its preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of the rail joint constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof, the near extension being broken away. Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a transverse section.

Referring specifically to the drawing, the numerals 1 and 2 designate the adjoining ends of two rails, and in carrying out the invention, the web of the rail 1 is extended beyond the respective ends of the tread and base flange while the web of the rail 2 is cut away, as at 4, to receive the extended portion 3. lThe cut away portion or recess 4 extends completely between the tread and base flange the ends of the tread and base flange of the 'A rail 2, thereby` loc-king' the adjoining ends of the rails against appreciable vertical move ments due to hammering or jarring.

The flatarm or extension 5 has its butt end welded or otherwise attached to one side of the web and its extension 3 of the rail l while a similar arm or extension 6 is similarly attached at its butt end to the opposite side and the web of the rail 2, the arms 5 and 6 projecting in opposite directions at the opposite sides of the rail web so as to overlap the respective sides of the opposite webs. The arms or extensions 5 and 6 also fit between the treads and base flanges of the rails so as to assist in locking the rail ends against vertical movements. The arms 5 and 6 not only assist in locking the rail ends in position, but also inclose the interengaging portions of the rail ends proper which is highly desirable. The arms or extensions 5 and 6 are attached to the respective webs by welding, brazing or otherwise securing them to the webs, the free ends of the arms or extensions projecting sufliciently beyond the butt ends of the other arms or extensions to permit the free ends of the arms or extensios to be secured solely to the opposite we s.

The webs of the rails and the free ends of the arms or extensions 5 and 6 are pro vided with the registering openings 7 through which bolts 8 are passed to clamp the arms and webs together, the openings 7 being preferably elongated to permit the expansion and contraction of the rails, or if desired, only certain of the openings 7 need be elongated.

In the manner described and illustrated, the rails may be so secured together as to withstand the hammering and jarring to which the joint is subjected, the rail ends being locked together so as to withstand depressive strains and the rails being per mitted to expand and contract relative to each other. The present joint also permits the rails to be readily assembled, or connected to each other, it being noted, that the rails may be brought together lengthwise or laterally in one direction, and conversely, the rails may be readily or easily separated.

carried out satisfactorily.

Another salient feature of the present invention resides in the fact that the lower edges of the extensions or fish plates 5 and VG are internally beveled throughout their lengths as at 9, and cooperating with the corners between the webs and base fianges of the rails to provide passages extending .along the corners between the web and base flange of the rail, through which rail bonds Y may be passed in order that their ends may be welded or otherwise secured to the webs of the rails beyond the ends of the eXtensions in order to electrically connect the rails for the purpose of block signaling or the like.

What is claimed as new is A rail joint wherein the rail webs have interengaging portions, and a pair of arms secured to the respective sides of the respective rail webs and overlapping the opposite webs, the said extension fitting between the treads and base flanges of the rails and having their lower edges internally beveled throughout their lengths and coperating with the corners between the webs and base flanges of the rails to provide passages for rail bonds.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES W. HUNTER.

Witnesses:

B. J. CLENDENIN, FRANK KEPLER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

